Assessment in Schools: Fit for Purpose?
Drawing on the expertise of 10 leading academics who have decades of experience in this field, this report from the Teaching and Learning Research programme (TLRP) sets out the characteristics which one should look for in high quality assessment and accountability structures.
It poses four key challenges for policy-makers: putting effective in-class assessment into practice; enhancing confidence in tests and exams; justifying the costs of assessment; and avoiding political micro-management of the assessment process.
The report is a commentary which draws on 20 years of work by the Assessment Reform Group, which was set up to ensure that assessment policy and practice takes into account relevant research evidence.
In relation to policy-making in Scotland, the commentary draws attention to the need to:
ensure that the Scottish Government’s commitment to Assessment is for Learning remains a priority at all levels in the system and is integral to curriculum, learning and teaching within Curriculum for Excellence
support teachers to develop their capacity to make sound judgements about progress and achievement and to share expectations and standards in and across schools
ensure that all assessment retains a clear focus on learners and their learning
continue to encourage approaches to accountability that give priority to self evaluation for improvement planning. Evidence should relate to all four Curriculum for Excellence capacities: successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens
recognise that all accountability systems will impact in some way on learners and learning, and take steps to avoid negative impact
actively seek to deepen understanding about assessment, and how to think about and interpret assessment information and data, both within the profession and amongst the wider community
ensure that the effective use of assessment to support learning remains a key priority for all partners in education working together.
Download the report from the TLRP website:
PDF file: Assessment in schools – Fit for purpose? (1.62 MB)